By Florencemary Nwabueze
A fatal lone accident involving a 40-foot containerized articulated truck has claimed the life of a driver while leaving his motor boy with serious injuries, along the Isheri Elemu corridor inbound to Ijegun, Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement signed by Adebayo Taofiq, the director, public affairs and enlightenment department on Friday.
"The unfortunate incident resulted in the immediate death of the driver, who became trapped beneath the overturned truck and succumbed instantly to the impact of the crash.
"The motor boy accompanying the deceased, however , survived the accident with multiple injuries and fractures and was promptly rescued and evacuated to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical attention." The statement reads
According to the statement: "Preliminary investigation revealed that the articulated truck, which was not carrying any cargo suddenly lost stability while in motion and overturned, leading to the devastating accident."
LASTMA’s Rescue and Recovery Unit quickly mobilise to the scene and successfully recovered the driver’s lifeless body from beneath the truck. Personnel also secured the accident corridor, while implementing traffic control measures, and coordinated emergency responses to prevent any secondary collisions.
Security support was also provided by officers from the Isheri Osun Police Division, ensuring order during the rescue and recovery operation. A heavy-duty crane and a flatbed recovery truck were later deployed to remove the overturned vehicle and clear the roadway for normal traffic flow.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare-Oki Olalekan, extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased driver. He also wished the injured motor boy a speedy and complete recovery.
Reiterate LASTMA’s commitment to road safety, he said: “Critical safety components including braking systems, steering mechanisms, tyres, suspension assemblies and other essential mechanical parts must undergo regular professional assessments to ensure optimum operational efficiency and prevent avoidable tragedies,” he stated.
He further urged fleet operators, transport companies, truck owners, and drivers to prioritize vehicle roadworthiness and strict compliance with safety regulations, noting that preventable mechanical failures remain a significant threat to lives and property.